women and children die in attack by Gaddafi troops

Gaining control of Zawiya would be crucial to Colonel Gaddafi's effort to defend his stronghold in Tripoli, correspondents say.


Reports from the coastal city said it had come under attack from both east and west from well-armed government forces in large numbers of tanks and armoured vehicles.

Heavy gunfire was heard in the central square as the rebels fought back using tanks they had captured earlier.

The tanks had circled the area in preparation for the fresh attack, shelling central areas of the city, where fires are burning under a cloud of dense black smoke.

Earlier, Zawiya resident and rebel supporter Mohammed told the BBC that pro-Gaddafi troops "came from east and west and they took up positions in high-rise buildings... and started shooting".

He said some tanks were captured and burnt near the town square, and that there were jubilant celebrations from the rebels as the pro-Gaddafi forces fled.

Another Zawiya resident, Hussein, said many civilians had been killed, including women and children - as up to 40 cars filled with soldiers attacked backed up by tanks and anti-aircraft guns.

"There are people dying everywhere. It is a disaster what is happening in Zawiya. We really need some help," Hussein told the BBC.

A doctor in the city said at least 30 people had died in the fighting

Three people killed in demonstration in Tunis

The demonstrations are back in the centre of Tunis as terrified shoppers ran for cover when clashes broke out between the anti-government protestors broke out.
Three protestors were killed in the fighting between the police and the protestors.
Tear gas,batons and live ammunition was used to disperse the hundreds of protestors!
It seems the brutal reactions by the police still exist in Tunisia!


One of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's most powerful and longest-serving associates has called on him to end his resistance to the uprising against him in Libya.

In a BBC interview, Interior Minister Gen Abdel Fattah Younes al-Abidi says Col Gaddafi's regime is collapsing and will last only a few more days.

Having known the colonel for 47 years, Gen al-Abidi says he will not surrender,

1011: The Oman protesters had gathered for a second day, demanding political reforms, Reuters reports.
1010: In a reminder that the Libyan revolt is part of a huge wave of unrest sweeping the Middle East and North Africa, we're getting reports that police in Oman have fired tear gas on protesters in the city of Sohar.

Day of reckoning

Big demonstration against the government in the centre of Tunis

So far the dictators of Tunisia and Eygpt both fell on a Friday  now it the turn of Gaddafi who who still has control of the centre of Tripoli and some of the suburbs in additional a couple of other towns

Over 600 people have been killed by Gaddafi s forces

There is a mass evavacuation taking place but Gaddafi still has control of an airforce base so why doesn t someone destroys it before he launches further bombing against his people

Protest at the Libyan Embassy

Protestors have just marched past the British Council in Rue Mohamed V to gather for the demonstration at the Libyan Embassy against the atrocities being comitted by the Libyan government.

From a BBC correspondent:
Last night Libya's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, made a bizarre short appearance on state TV in Tripoli, dismissing "malicious rumours" that he has fled the country.The leader made the televised speech from the inside of a car with an umbrella.


Here in Tripoli Col Gaddafi's forces are in control. This morning has been really quiet in the streets, there is very rare movement.


We've heard some reports that anyone who goes out in the street is stopped and asked for their destination and if there's no clear destination people might get arrested.


People in Benghazi confirm to me that the people are in control of the city, they have control over the radio.


They have set up committees to organise public life there but they also confirm that the army has control over the airport and the suburbs.

Colonel Gaddafi's short, bizarre appearance was described as disgraceful here. People were angry that he didn't address the situation in the country. No mention of the fear that he'd spread among people, and no mention of the orders he'd given to bomb Tripoli and Benghazi.



But they are also happy to know he is still in town so he can be tried inside Tripoli. "We want him to stay here and pay for what he's done," said a Tripoli resident.


Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said attacks on civilians could amount to crimes against humanity.



In a statement, Ms Pillay condemned the "callousness with which Libyan authorities and their hired guns are reportedly shooting live rounds of ammunition at peaceful protesters".


Doha debate in Tunis

Looking like cival war in Libya!

Looking like cival war in Libya!
There are demonstrations outside the 'Libyan Embassy' in Rue Mohammed V'.

The teachers at the BC are about to be evacuated.

Bahrain and Libya protests

Tens of thousands of Bahrainis voice their anger against the government in Friday prayers, after the first funerals of victims of Thursday's unrest.Will the teachers at the British Council,Bahrain have to have its teachers evacuated like in Tunisia and Egypt?

According to rights activists at least 24 people have died in anti-government protests in Libya over the past few days, .Could there be a cival war between the pro government supporters and the anti-government protestors?

Meanwhile in Tunis there are piles of rubbish in the streets,nobody seems to be in charge of clearing away the rubbish;the numerous street cats have lots of food to feast on,not sure that they are keen on discarded remains of oranges.

More Protests!

Police used tear gas to clear protesters from Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital, Manama, with at least three people reported dead!

Anti-government activists in Libya have been using social networking sites to rally support for protests on what they are describing as a "day of anger".
There were reports of clashes in two cities late on Wednesday, with about four people reported dead in the eastern city of al-Bayda.


Dozens of people were injured in violent demonstrations on Tuesday night in the eastern city of Benghazi.

The unrest there followed the detention of an outspoken government critic.